I wouldn't mind betting that we have been sniffing around Eastwood and in classic chineese whispers that has somehow turned out that we were going to sign an international from brisbane and before you know it Petro is suposedly done and dusted in Maroon & White next year
I wont bother holding my breath waiting

just read this on MSE, in the latest coup in NRL history manly have managed to clone the dna of webcke, John O'Neill, mark carroll and trevor gilmeister and turn it into one super prop which we have also been able to sign for the next two years. sounds like we dont need petero!

Nothing like a good rumor. Perhaps I could help stir the pot a little:

BRISBANE hit a hurdle in its attempt to re-sign Petero Civoniceva after contract talks stalled and at least two other clubs showed interest in the Queensland forward.

Brisbane has been in negotiations with Civoniceva for some time but, contrary to reports which suggested his management was working closely with the club, Brisbane has not heard from his camp since before the first State of Origin game two weeks ago.

Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen, clearly frustrated with the inactivity, said he expected to reopen talks this week as the club looked to shore up its remaining off-contract players.

They include Civoniceva, Justin Hodges and Shaun Berrigan, with Hodges expected to re-sign and Berrigan likely to accept a lucrative offer from England.

"We will have further talks with his management this week and it looks like we may have a battle on our hands to retain him," Cullen said.

"I spoke to (his management) the Tuesday before Origin I. They said they would talk to Petero after Origin and I haven't heard from them since."

Brisbane has been among the most active clubs in the player market over the past week, securing Penrith pair Peter Wallace and Joel Clinton for next season.

Civoniceva isn't the only senior Bronco moving on next year. Utility Shaun Berrigan has confirmed he will accept a four-year offer to play with English Super League club Hull.

Prop Dane Carlaw is also expected to leave, most likely to the Gold Coast, veteran forward Brad Thorn is expected to retire, while Queensland wing Brent Tate has signed a rich three-year deal with the Warriors.

It remains to be seen if Civoniceva will remain in the NRL, given there appears to be few clubs prepared to gamble on his asking price.

That would limit his options to England, with Wigan a possibility as it looks like missing out on St George-Illawarra prop Jason Ryles.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs halfback Ben Roberts capped a mixed week when he signed an extension which will keep him at Belmore until the end of 2009.

The Dogs confirmed Roberts had agreed to a new two-year deal only hours before he played in premier league last night.

Roberts was dropped from first grade after he and former Test centre Willie Tonga broke a team curfew following last weekend's win over the Warriors.

Wests Tigers have re-signed two of their most promising young players.

Forward Bronson Harrison has inked a two-year deal which will keep him at the club until the end of 2009 and fullback Shannon McDonnell has signed a three-year contract which ties him to the Tigers until the end of 2010.

The Bulldogs have been linked with Sharks hooker Michael Sullivan, who is playing in England with Warrington.